GB2534189A

GB2534189A - Releasable fastenings

Info

Publication number: GB2534189A
Application number: GB1500708.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Oldryod Mark
Original assignee: NP Aerospace Ltd
Current assignee: NP Aerospace Ltd
Priority date: 2015-01-16
Filing date: 2015-01-16
Publication date: 2016-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 2035-01-16
Also published as: GB2534189B; GB201500708D0; WO2016113548A1

Abstract

A releasable fastening, suitable for securing a first article to a second article, comprises a first flexible member 25 for securing to a first article 27, a second flexible member 26 for securing to a second article 28 and an elongate member 21threaded between apertures in the first 25 and second 26 flexible members to releasably secure the first 25 and second 26 flexible members against separation. A quick release of the fastening is achieved by swiftly removing the elongate member 21which may be a rod or a cord, the end of which is secured against accidental release within hook and eye fastener 29/30. Present application describes the use of the releasable fastening in association with clothing for use in hazardous environments, particularly firemen's clothing, hazardous material (hazmet) suits, or explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) suits.

Description

Releasable fastenings This invention relates to releasable fastenings and is particularly although not exclusively applicable to releasable fastenings for clothing.

There are many applications where it is required to fasten two or more articles together but with a means for quickly releasing said articles.

In the field of clothing for example, clothing for use in hazardous environments [e.g. firemen's clothing, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) suits, hazardous materials (hazmet) suits] may need to be removed in a hurry. Sometimes for such clothing hook and loop fasteners (e.g. Velcro) are used to provide a quick release function, but these fasteners have the disadvantage that they may be accidentally unfastened, and require unfastening along the whole length of a seam which may be difficult were bulky and inflexible clothing is concerned.

The applicants have realised that a releasable fastening is required that can allow rapid release, and preferably with a low risk of accidental release. Accordingly, the present invention provides a releasable fastening and clothing as set out in the appended claims, the contents of which are incorporated in this description by reference.

Further details and features of the invention are as set out in the following illustrative but nonlimitative description with reference to the drawings in which:-Fig 1 is shows an EOD suit; Figs.2 and 3 show a back seam to an EOD suit jacket in accordance with the invention; Fig 4 shows schematically a section along a fastening in accordance with the invention; Fig 5 shows a close up to a seam from EOD suit trousers in accordance with the invention Fig 6 shows the front view of an EOD suit jacket of Figs. 2 and 3 The EOD suit of Fig. 1 comprises a jacket 1, trousers 2, armoured front plate 3, and helmet 4. In the event of explosion or fire the EOD suit may need to be removed rapidly. The front plate 3 can be removed relatively rapidly being loosely mounted with buckles, however the jacket 1 and trousers 2 are conventionally more difficult to remove. In an EOD incorporating fastenings according to the present invention, additional seams may be provided to the jacket 1 and/or trousers 2 that permit their rapid removal.

Figs. 2 and 3 show a back seam to jacket 1. Panels 5 and 6 of the jacket back are secured together through a pair of releasable fastenings 7 and 8. The fastening 8 comprises flaps of fabric 9, 10 secured respectively to the panels 5,6; and a rod 11. The flaps of fabric 9,10 each have a series of apertures aligned to permit the rod 11 to be threaded between the apertures of each flap 9,10 to secure the flaps 9,10 against separation. Fig.4 illustrates this schematically by showing a section along the fastening on the line of the rod 11. The flaps of material extend along substantially the entire length of the seam although termination portions of the seam may be joined otherwise as mentioned below. The flaps of fabric may be continuous or may comprise several sections of fabric.

The rod 11 is of a material sufficiently stiff to resist gaping or unravelling under tension in the seam and of a suitable strength to withstand blast damage. Suitable materials include, among others, plastics materials, for example a 4mm diameter Nylon 66 rod, although the choice of material is a matter for optimising in the light of the environment the fastening will be exposed to, with an EOD suit being an extreme environment Fastening 7 is similar to fastening 8 but comprises a cord rather than a rod. Although cord can be used instead of rod, a rod is preferred as being less likely to gape under tension in the seam. Additionally a cord needs to be firmly secured to prevent accidental removal whereas a rod only requires that the end portions of the rod only be accessible when needed. The invention extends to the use of any elongate member capable of being threaded through the apertures and includes, for example, cords, rods, wires, plastic covered wire coils, and chains. To release the clothing the elongate member is drawn from one end so as to unthread from the apertures and thereby permit the flaps to separate.

Fig 6 shows the front view of the EOD suit showing the rod 11 passing around the collar of the suit and terminating at a handle 12. The strap 11 is secured against flapping by webbing 13 and ring 14. The handle 12 is secured against accidental release, for example by housing in a pocket or trapped beneath a releasable fastening (not shown). Conveniently the handle is secured by a hook and eye fastener (e.g. Velcro®) that can torn open in the result of necessity. Advisably the location of the release should be readily evident, for example by making the handle, or the means for securing the handle, in a contrasting colour to the body of the suit jacket.

Similar design considerations apply to making releasable EOD trousers. Fig.5 shows in close up a scam from an EOD suit trousers in accordance with the invention and shows that the rapid release fastening of the invention may form only part of the seam, with part being provided by hook and eye-fasteners which may further function to secure the end of the rods to prevent accidental release.

As shown, the end of rod 21 protrudes from flaps of fabric 25, 26 secured respectively to the panels 27,28 of the trousers and is secured against accidental release within hook and eye fastener 29/30.

Other variants to the invention will be evident to the person skilled in the art while still encompassed by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A releasable fastening for securing a first article to a second article, and comprising:- * at least one first flexible member for securing to a first article; * at least one second flexible member for securing to a second article; * at least one elongate member; the first flexible member comprising apertures capable of alignment with apertures in the second flexible member to permit the elongate member to be threaded between the apertures in the first and second flexible members to releasably secure the first and second flexible members against separation.
2. A releasable fastening as claimed in Claim 1, in which the elongate member is a rod of plastics material.
3. A releasable fastening as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the elongate member is a cord.
4. A releasable fastening as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, in which at least one end of the elongate member is secured to prevent accidental removal of the elongate member.
5. An article of clothing comprising one or more releasable fastenings as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4.
6. An article of clothing as claimed in Claim 5, which is part of an explosive ordnance disposal suitAMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWSCLAIMS1. A releasable fastening for securing a first article to a second article, and comprising:- * at least one first flexible member for securing to a first article; * at least one second flexible member for securing to a second article; * at least one elongate member; a series of apertures in the first flexible member being capable of alignment with a series of apertures in the second flexible member, when the first flexible member and second flexible member are placed in face-to-face relationship, to permit the elongate member to be threaded between the apertures in the first and second flexible members to lie alternately on one side of both flexible members and then on an opposed side of both flexible members, thereby to releasably secure the first and second flexible members against separation.2. A releasable fastening as claimed in Claim 1, in which the elongate member is a rod of plastics material.3. A releasable fastening as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the elongate member is a cord.4. A releasable fastening as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, in which at least one end of the elongate member is secured to prevent accidental removal of the elongate member. (r)5. An article of clothing comprising one or more releasable fastenings as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4.6. An article of clothing as claimed in Claim 5, which is part of an explosive ordnance disposal suit.
7. An article of clothing as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, comprising a jacket having a back seam secured by one or more of the releasable fastenings, in which the elongate member passes around a collar of the jacket and terminates at a handle.